Tell me about the Auvergne

[Twizzle]

We have owned a holiday property in the Charente and lived for three years in the Var, being forced to return to UK due to work and family commitments,three years ago. We are now looking for the "Final Solution", with regards to our retirement!. The Var is out pricewise, we will never find that ruin again! and because it was a bit too hot, the forest fires also came a bit close for comfort!! We have looked closely at the Aude/Arriege, and also Gers, but have recently seen a property in the Allier region of the Auvergne, which would fit the bill but do not know anything about the area. The new route to Clermont Ferrand is an attraction, but is there anyone living in the region that could give us the "Red Hot Low Down?"

Thanks in anticipation.

[Clair]

An old Telegraph article about the Auvergne: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/property

We live close to the eastern edge of the Cantal and drive regularly to Aurillac, which is a most delightful provincial town. But the Cantal is very different from the Allier.

[allier123]

[:D]  Hi, we have lived in the Allier for four years now.  Lovely place.  It doesn't have the dramatic scenery of further south in the Auvergne, but gently rolling calm countryside.  Property of all types still very cheap.   Our French neighbours have all been friendly and welcoming, maybe because very few English around as yet.  We feel very at home here.  Montlucon has every type of shop, trains from Moulins to Paris not bad. 

Does any of this help?

 

[Mlonghurst]

We are in the Allier between Moulins and Vichy and have found it a lovely place to live.  We have found the locals to be very friendly, the weather is normally (been quite wet this year) very good with continental seasons and you can get anything you ever need shopping wise from either Moulins, Vichy or Montlucon.

 

RyanAir are starting flights to Clermont Ferrand again from 1^st April 2008.

 

Rgds,  Mike L

[Twizzle]

Many Thanks for your reply, "gently, rolling and calm" sounds really good, we are not looking for loads of English, and want to be country folk! If you have a moment could you let us know what type of weather to expect? No guarantees!

[Mlonghurst]

If you leave out this year which has been rather “wet” and not normal, the type of weather we tend to get where I live (Mid Allier) is short very cold winters with clear skies and snow during Feb, followed by a lovely warm spring which hits almost overnight and the grass grows very quickly and all the trees sprout their leaves, a long hot summer with very little rain, short warm Autumn when everyone starts to prepare for winter.

 

Hope this helps,

 

Rgds,  Mike L

[Alan Zoff]

The top end of Allier (ie. above Moulins and close to Burgoyne border) very much fits the "rolling countryside" description. Rather lacking in tourist attractions and you need to be close to Moulins or Montlucon (or Nevers just over the Burgundy border) for sophisticated entertainment, but the small towns and villages try hard to provide friendly alternatives. We have been surprised just how much there is going on in and around our small, rural village.

The French grand prix circuit is nearby at Magny-Cours and while it looks as though it is losing the grand prix franchise, it will no doubt continue to host plenty of events. The area has some nice small forests with large oaks rather than acres of just pine. The river Allier gives the region its name but is not as picturesque (at least in the north) as some other French rivers, largely because the locals seem not to have bothered to make much of it, in terms of riverside roads and villages. For a large river, it can be easily overlooked!

We have not spent a continuous year there but visit regularly in all seasons. The weather has seemed to track the British weather quite closely during the 3 years we have owned the house, with slightly colder winters, hotter summers, marvellous springs and pleasant autumns. And, as has been said, - just like Britain - it has been unusually wet this year.

We have found the people friendly. I would not say "welcoming" but that seems merely because they see no need to react and can't really be fussed whether you are French, English or from outer space. Just as long as you try to fit in. Which we do. And love it.

[Twizzle]

Many thanks for your reply, the property we are interested in is near Vichy so your comments are really helpfull.

[Alan Zoff]

The town of Vichy is not really typical of the northern Allier. It has a quite cosmopolitan feel. The river makes a pretty "lake" feature there and some of the shops are of Parisian quality - with prices to match. Renowned of course for its spas and for horse racing.

It is also that bit closer to Clermont-Ferrand than we are, so nearer to the volcan parc region, and will also benefit when UK flights expanded at C-F airport.